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Performing Arts at JRC

Adult, Children and Family Choirs
JRC has three opportunities to get involved in choir -- our Adult, Children and Family Choirs. Anyone who enjoys singing can join!

Under the direction of Danny Wallenberg, the JRC Adult Choir performs throughout the year both at JRC and local festivals. New voices are always welcome and no auditions are required. Rehearsals take place at JRC on Thursdays, 7:45 pm.

The JRC Junior Choir also gives JRC’s younger members an opportunity to learn and sing at JRC services throughout the year. As with our Adult Choir, all are welcome to participate. Rehearsals take place at JRC during Hebrew School on Sunday mornings. 

Contact Danny Wallenberg.


Heavy Shtetl Klezmer Band
Put a new reed in your mouthpiece, some rosin on your bow, and come shpiel with JRC’s own house band under the direction of Lori Lippitz Chinitz, JRC member and founder of Chicago’s acclaimed Maxwell Street Klezmer Band. Heavy Shtetl performs at a wide variety of JRC services and programs throughout the year, including Evanston’s Fourth of July parade. Contact Lori Lippitz Chinitz.

Alte Rockers
JRC's totally awesome house rock band. Contact Lori Lippitz Chinitz.


Purim - view our calendar for the complete schedule of 2010/5770 Purim antics
At JRC we take Purim seriously! We go well beyond the bounds of propriety and mere recitation of the Megillah. We clear the hairballs from our larynxes, put on our dancing shoes, and go all out to provide the type of entertainment that puts the hospital in hospitality. So, hey, man, if your goal is to strut and fret an hour or two upon the stage, our annual Purimshpiel is just your plate of hamentaschen.  No previous experience necessary.

JRC’s very own Purim Parody Productions creates an original musical parody every other year, with such previous titles as Camelplotz and Les Mishuganables. These wacky productions, written by JRC member Jordan Margolis, begin rehearsing in the fall and culminate in three performances during the month of March in celebration of Purim. Our Purimshpiel is created completely through the efforts of our members and benefits from the talents of adults and children alike. Whether your interests run to acting, singing, dancing, choreography, set design or construction, all enthusiastic members are welcome to participate. Contact Jordan Margolis or Judy Holstein.

In the off year (or, better, the other off year), while Jordan waits for the muse to strike again, we celebrate Purim with the Oy Vey Cafe, which, in the opinion of local art critics, compares favorably with, say, any soon-to-be-condemned night club. It's quality entertainment that is well worth the price of admission (free!). The Cafe is a cabaret review of comedy and show tunes desecrated with topical lyrics. The review is performed in collaboration with (and mercifully cut short by) the Alte Rockers and their much admired parodies of rock standards (with biting political satire worthy of The Capitol Steps, we kid you not).  This is a Cafe that is always open (since it needs to air out) to anyone who hankers to sing, dance, or help produce the world's largest hamentaschen.  Contact Stan Cohn.

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Family Kallah